This article is part of an ongoing series to chronicle the work of the 30 organizations involved in KHF’s Building Power and Equity Partnership (BPEP) initiative. To learn more about BPEP, click here.

At 57, Denise Baker didn’t expect to be raising another child. Then her 8-year-old grandson Jovanni came for a visit and never left, essentially abandoned by his father.

Even with her job as a counselor, Baker said there’s no way she could have taken care of her grandchild without the help she received from the Mt. Carmel Redevelopment Corporation (MCRC). The Kansas City, Kan.-based nonprofit provided a bed, dresser, and other furnishings for Jovanni’s bedroom, clothes for school, and assistance for the extra groceries Baker found herself buying.

“They’ve done so much,” Baker said. “They’ve filled in the gaps I wasn’t able to. I think that without their services, it would have been virtually impossible.”

Baker was helped by MCRC’s extensive Community Outreach program, but as the agency’s name suggests, it has a brick-and-mortar aspect as well. MCRC was formed as a nonprofit in 1994 to revitalize a four-square block area in the historically Black Heathwood neighborhood with new housing for low-, moderate-, and middle-income families. To date, it has built and sold 16 single-family homes, a 61-unit senior housing facility, three transitional housing duplexes for homeless families, and the Breidenthal Community Center.

MCRC now has about $30 million invested in the area. Before and after photos on the MCRC website (mtcarmelrc.org) show the striking difference between dilapidated structures replaced with attractive homes. The area is bounded by 11th Street on the east, 13th Street on the west, Parallel Parkway on the north, and Garfield Avenue on the south.

Twin Missions

MCRC’s dual focus on community support and redevelopment has attracted the Kansas Health Foundation as a partner.

“Mt. Carmel Redevelopment Corp. is an organization focused on providing wraparound services, affordable housing — including transitional housing — and environmental justice in communities of color,” said Valerie Black-Turner, director of community partnership at KHF. “They also focus on providing education and support to support families transitioning to permanent housing.

“As a trusted Community Housing Development Organization (CHDO) in KCK, MCRC is making a great impact in a county that is 97th in the Kansas Health Rankings,” Black-Turner continued. “Their comprehensive approach to addressing the needs of individuals and families through permanent housing, education, and support services is helping to create a healthier Wyandotte County.”

Pamela Smart, MCRC’s longtime executive director, highlighted the benefits of being part of KHF’s Building Power and Equity Partnership (BPEP) program. “It has helped us tremendously. We’ve used funds for transitional housing, general operations, case management, and other programs and projects. Being part of BPEP has equipped us with the tools to build a stronger organization.”

According to Smart, MCRC was the vision of Bishop Ervin Sims, Jr., pastor of Mt. Carmel Church of God in Christ, which celebrated its centennial year in 2024. Smart, a church member, recalled the neighborhood’s past conditions.

‘The need was so great’

“There were times when we would drive to church, the yellow police tape would be out, the drug dealers and prostitutes would be out. It was terrible,” Smart recalled. One Sunday, Bishop Sims announced to parishioners, “Either we’re going to be a drive-by church driving by the blight as if we didn’t see it, or we’re going to do something about it.

“The need was so great, especially around housing. But we have completely transformed the area.”

Sims’ background seemingly prepared him for a role in expanding housing. The son of a construction company owner in Kansas City, he earned a degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Kansas and rose to a leadership position with the Kansas City Board of Public Utilities. One of his first hires, Smart, received her Bachelor of Science in Architectural Engineering and her Master in Engineering Management degrees from KU.

According to a 2018 article in The Community Voice, MCRC used tax sales to buy up dilapidated properties, demolished them, and then utilized grants from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to rebuild. Initially planning to build apartments, Sims shifted to single-family housing after hearing that’s what residents preferred. The same article called Mt. Carmel “the clear crown jewel of eastern KC redevelopment.”

Bishop Sims passed away in 2020, and leadership of the congregation was taken over by his son, Elder Ervin Jason Sims.

Smart noted notes that the church “is not involved in the day-to-day operations of MCRC — we don’t do anything religious within the organization — but the church strongly supports MCRC and the community.” About six years ago, the church hired MCRC to be the project manager for its new $3.5 million building.

Serving Homeless

MCRC’s reach extends beyond the Mt. Carmel neighborhood. For 20 years, it has managed the Wilhelmina Gill Multi-Service Center, located about 1.5 miles away at 6th and Nebraska, through a contract with the Unified Government of Wyandotte County. The Gill Center operates in partnership with Hot Lunch Service, Inc., which provides a daily hot lunch to homeless people and neighbors in need 365 days a year. MCRC offers case management, a food pantry, grab-and-go food bags, hygiene kits, phone service, and mail service at the Gill Center. Additionally, MCRC coordinates services by partnering with community agencies.

“The majority of our clients are homeless,” Smart said. “At the beginning of the month, when clients receive their monthly fixed income, we may see 250 people. This number can escalate to 500 or more by the end of the month.”

MCRC’s case managers advocate for and assist the homeless with tasks such as searching for housing, replacing identification, scheduling doctor’s appointments and completing specific applications.

“Some people have immediate short-term needs, while others may require long-term support,” Smart said.

Each November, the Gill Center hosts an event called “I Am Loved and Not Forgotten.”

“We bring in barbers to give haircuts, serve a hot dinner, and set up stages and booths where our homeless clients can get everything they need for the winter — coats, blankets, hoodies, gloves, and foot warmers,” Smart said. “We also provide sturdy backpacks, which are essential for getting through the winter.”

The Gill Center also assists housed neighbors who are in need. Five nearby apartment complexes serve residents who are at or below the poverty level.

In 2023, nearly three-fourths of the people served by the center were Black, with the remainder being white (18 percent), Hispanic (6 percent) and from other backgrounds (4 percent), according to the organization’s annual report. Adults aged 21-64 comprised the largest age group served (63 percent), and male clients slightly outnumbered the female clients.

Smart noted that the Gill Center’s manager, Ondra Penn, “has been there since day one.”

Homes and Health

MCRC’s main office, located at 1130 Troup Ave., is connected to the senior housing facility. From there, it operates various services, including a food pantry, transitional housing, rent and utility assistance, educational programs, counseling and more.

The transitional housing units often house single mothers and their children, though they have accommodated full families at times. “They take part in classes that help them re-enter society and become self-sustaining,” Smart said. “Financial literacy classes, budgeting, and similar topics. We work with them on paying off old debt, which can sometimes prevent them from finding a new home.”

The food pantry offers fresh meat, vegetables, fruits, and dairy products. MCRC’s community cooking classes, taught by a chef and nutritionist, focus on healthy eating. Recently, attendees learned how to prepare Cornish game hens for a family dinner. “They taste whatever’s prepared, then leave with all the ingredients to make the meal,” Smart said. “They get hands-on experience with the chef, which they really enjoy.”

These initiatives aim to reduce reliance on processed food, which Smart said contributes to “health disparities in the area.” This goal aligns with the Kansas Health Foundation’s mission. “They want to make Kansas City the healthiest in the United States. We want to join those efforts and be a strong partner,” Smart noted.

Regarding the food pantry’s usage, Smart said, “We’ve seen a steady increase. Food prices are being gouged, and housing costs are at an all-time high. It’s almost a privilege to have a house right now.” The organization distributed nearly 200 Thanksgiving grocery boxes to seniors and families.

MCRC’s nutrition programs are named in honor of the late Dr. Norge W. Jerome, a pioneering nutritionist and researcher at the University of Kansas Medical Center who supported and collaborated with the organization on many projects.

The Breidenthal campus, a 45,000-square-foot community center built by MCRC, houses a Boys and Girls Club of Greater Kansas City, operates after-school programs, and can accommodate up to 400 children. It features a full-scale gymnasium, weight room, commercial kitchen, and community space available for events.

According to its website, MCRC serves diverse families at or below federal poverty standards and the homeless. The senior facility is for people 65 and older who meet Section 8 guidelines. In 2023, MCRC served 7,357 clients at the Gill Center and 1,920 through its food pantries.

MCRC also hosts fun events like its Christmas celebration. “We invited 50 families,” Smart said. “It’s pretty amazing. Parents could pick out three toys per child and something for themselves. The kids make ornaments in the classrooms, then enjoy hot chocolate and a candy factory in a big hall. At the end, the families receive everything needed for a Christmas dinner. We also provide at least one bike per family.”

During one of the pandemic years, MCRC focused on inviting families who had lost a parent to COVID-19.

Dream Project

MCRC isn’t done with the Mt. Carmel development yet. It plans to build at least another 22 single-family homes. These energy-efficient homes range from 1,230 to 1,400 square feet, featuring three bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, a full basement, front porch, and two-car garage. MCRC uses a mix of government and private funding sources to make the homes affordable.

KHF’s Black-Turner notes that improving housing can also improve health outcomes. “The initiative involves remediating environmental hazards like lead, asbestos, and construction debris, which were previously allowed in these areas. This initiative also addresses the shortage of affordable housing by building affordable homes and selling them below cost. Families are able to generate wealth and live in a healthy environment free of environmental contaminants.”

The Mt. Carmel development hasn’t been an overnight success, Smart said, noting that it’s been about 20 years since ground was first broken. But its success has primed MCRC for an even bigger project: the planned redevelopment of 46 acres along North Tremont, about a mile from Mt. Carmel. “That’s our dream project,” Smart said. The goal is to revitalize it with housing and retail businesses. Most of the land is now vacant and held by a land bank, although there are some residents in the area with whom MCRC is talking.

“As a master developer, our plan is to collaborate with partnering developers,” Smart said. “We plan to work with the city to ensure the infrastructure is available, then invite other developers to help us develop the area.”

When asked if she believes the Mt. Carmel project has prepared MCRC for this undertaking, Smart said, “Oh, absolutely.”

Black-Turner concurred. “MCRC’s power and influence has put them in a place where they are able to focus on real estate development. The Unified Government (UG) was excited about MCRC’s proposal to lead in revitalizing the Tremont area in northeast Wyandotte County. This type of trust enables MCRC to increase the availability of affordable housing in the communities they serve.”

In 2023, Smart received the Jim White Community Development Legacy award from Local Initiatives Support Corporation Kansas City (LISC). “Everyone deserves a comfortable, safe house,” she said while accepting the honor. “The thing I’m most proud of is the families that go from homeless to homeowners.”

Baker, who found herself suddenly raising a young grandson, was as impressed with how MCRC operates as much as what it does. In addition to helping with necessities, MCRC ensured that Jovanni received toys, clothes, and a bicycle for Christmas. Baker, who volunteered at MCRC for about six months, saw that the agency was also helping thousands of other people at the same time with a wide variety of needs.

“I would say that they are just relentless in their approach to community and helping individuals regardless of race, gender, or ethnicity,” she said. “Watching how they work with everyone is just amazing, the level of professionalism they display. If you drop in, the doors are open to everyone.”

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